One long ridiculous story/art project gone horribly wrong. [#19, p.92]

Compared to the relative intensity of its opening numbers, precious few other moments on BIB escape the intertia of your average campfire bray-along, which is too bad since the sexy new studio sheen validates the Mates' many virtues. [#19, p.90]

It's an experiment in homage. [#19, p.104]

While not as fresh as Happiness, Love is another strong set of raucous riffage painted over confessions of a lovesick pup.

Supernature will not assist you in unlocking life's great mysteries, but for a good bout of fashionable rutting, well... [#19, p.90]

[Mudhoney] are as furious, as weird, and as tuned-down as ever. [#19, p.101]

Sure it's louder, but it's too self-disciplined and too well-arranged. [#19, p.96]

The two come together to create something more than an album of contrasts. [#19, p.95]

The music is a bit harder. [#19, p.104]

Nine Black Alps' raucous nod to the early '90s sounds more heartfelt than the work of so many of their countrymen who can't get past the '80s. [#19, p.96]

A production gem. [#19, p.91]

We come to this band expected to be thrown down the Trainspotting toilet, and this is exactly where The Last Romance takes us. [#19, p.90]

The songwriting recalls Davies' Misfits days, which wouldn't be a snipe if he hadn't penned so many masterpieces with the Kinks. [#19, p.92]

In context, Rubies [is] just another piece of the puzzle, but it's the finest jewel yet. [#19, p.99]

An electric moment for Lilys. [#19, p.96]

Appealingly poetic. [#19, p.99]

This is a brutal disappointment. [#19, p.97]

Chock full of indie anthems that possess the straightforward bravado of early Oasis singles, the punch of Ash's finest moments and Kurt Cobain's ear for a pop hook amidst the noise and confusion. [#19, p.101]

There's no mistaking the band's sunnier and, well, manlier sound. [#19, p.89]

Makes for exquisite travel music. [#19, p.96]

It's a roots record unashamed of its roots, derivative maybe only because it's so unabashedly traditional. [#19, p.102]

It's high entertainment of a sedate rock order, even if nothing is particularly brave or bold here. [#19, p.97]

A solidly good, if not great, effort from a solidly great, not just good, rock band. [#19, p.89]

It's cosmic Americana as once charted by Mercury Rev in the druggier days of yerself Is Steam and Boces. [#17, p.101]

It's got all the allure of classic D-Mode, but there's that lingering hint of taking oneself a tad too seriously. [#17, p.97]

Tanglewood Numbers probably won't win many new fans, but it will make the cult of David grow fonder. [#17, p.104]

A brilliantly subtle string section and sparkling production make this walkabout even more visual and complex. [#17, p.102]

Borrows the Afghan Whigs' ballsy romanticism, Velvet Underground's late-night cool, Peter Gabriel's raw passion and a few post-punk riffs for good measure. [#17, p.100]